Thursday, April 19, 2012

ABB expands India facilities

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, will invest around $50 million to build new facilities in India to manufacture high-voltage products and transformers. The expansion is part of ABB’s strategy to locally develop, manufacture and market products that meet the needs of Indian customers, the Group's press release said.

“This decision supports our in country for country approach and our business philosophy to locate production facilities closer to markets,” said Bernhard Jucker, head of ABB’s Power Products division. “By expanding our extensive manufacturing footprint in India, we can provide customers with an extended offering as well as deliver fast and cost-effective solutions suited to local needs.”

The facilities will be located in the western state of Gujarat and produce high-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and PASS (plug and switch system) hybrid switchgear as well as dry-type and oil immersed distribution transformers. The facilities are expected to be operational by the end of 2012.

A pioneer in GIS technology, ABB`s latest series can offer space savings of up to 90 percent compared to conventional air-insulated switchgear. Its low-weight, robust design enables the equipment to be deployed even in harsh conditions and enhances system reliability, improves efficiency and minimizes maintenance needs.

ABB’s PASS is a hybrid switchgear solution that combines features of air- and gas-insulated technologies. It incorporates the functions of a complete switchgear bay in a single module, and can be installed in a few hours. Compared to conventional technology, ABB`s factory-assembled solution requires up to 60 percent less space, and is easily integrated into existing substations, which enables bay extensions with minimum down time.

The new transformer factory will manufacture vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers and oil immersed distribution transformers. It will help to bridge a gap in the present product offering in India and extend the distribution transformer range up to 10 megavolt amperes (MVA), 33 kilovolts (kV). It will also enable localization of vacuum cast coil dry-type transformers.